It takes more than one type of neuron to form a memory
The rat hippocampus. (credit: National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research)
Memories allow us to record and store information, a central feature of our lives. Since the groundbreaking case of HM, a patient who lost the majority his hippocampus, we’ve known that this brain structure is central to forming long-term episodic memories. But we’re still unsure...
The global spectrum of plant form and function
Earth is home to a remarkable diversity of plant forms and life histories, yet comparatively few essential trait combinations have proved evolutionarily viable in today’s terrestrial biosphere. By analysing worldwide variation in six major traits critical to growth, survival and reproduction within the largest sample of vascular plant species ever compiled, we found that occupancy of six-dimensional trait space is strongly concentrated, indicating coordination...
Planetary science: How the Solar System didn’t form
Standard planet-formation models have been unable to reconstruct the distributions of the Solar System's small, rocky planets and asteroids in the same simulation. A new analysis suggests that it cannot be done.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature16322
Planetary science: How the Solar System didn’t form
Standard planet-formation models have been unable to reconstruct the distributions of the Solar System's small, rocky planets and asteroids in the same simulation. A new analysis suggests that it cannot be done.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature16322
Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and other tech titans form the Breakthrough Energy Coalition to invest in zero-carbon energy technologies
Some of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals are forming a new organization known as the Breakthrough Energy Coalition to invest in technologies that could help solve problems associated with climate change and other clean tech initiatives. The coalition includes Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg; Alibaba...